When a PIECE has a BEAUTIFUL ENDING - Sibelius - Symphony no.2 | Classical Music Reaction Mvt.3 & 4 

For a patience awarding, it's time for Mahler 3!

Sibelius's 2nd has what I think is one of my two favorite endings in the entire symphonic literature. When I played it in a university orchestra in November 2021, we actually had our brass section stand up for the final 8 measures of the piece, so that they could blast even louder. (It's actually on RU-vid if you're interested in seeing it -- I've shared it on the Discord server and I'll post it again.) I wanted to make a comment on compositional technique and how Sibelius makes the ending so powerful. (And don't worry, this will not be heavy on music theory at all.) Throughout the fourth movement, there's a motif we hear over and over: three notes rising stepwise. The main theme is built on that motif, and in fact the first movement of the symphony begins with the exact same three-note rising motif. But at the very end, it changes: it continues rising to a fourth note for the very first time. Up until that point in the fourth movement, the main theme has sounded triumphant, but has been in conflict with a darker, tragic second theme -- one that Sibelius later revealed was his musical response to the recent suicide of his sister-in-law. But the moment the rising motif breaks through to that fourth note, it brings something emotionally very different: it's immediately clear something big has changed. The struggle is over. For me that moment brings a sense of clarity, of relief, of coming home. My other favorite symphony ending is Carl Nielsen's 4th symphony. Whenever you get around to that, I'm also happy to talk about that ending and what makes it so emotionally powerful.

Memory, recall and anticipation are central to the appreciation of music. Classical music is more difficult to memorize and recall than music written to be 'catchy'. You draw perhaps 1% of what you can appreciate in a classical piece when you listen to it for the first time. Interestingly, I often dislike listening to music for the first time, because I know I'll have a bit of work to do before I can properly understand it. But many of the pieces I appreciate most now bewildered me the first time I heard them. Enjoy your continuing journey!

If you were confused Gidi, in this symphony the 3rd movement goes straight into the 4th movement with no pause or silence. Looking forward to more Sibelius in the future!

Sibelius's 5th Symphony has a monumental ending which is maybe unique in classical symphonies. ........ try that one !

Despite loving Sibelius's symphonies 5-7, I didn't really "get" or love the 2nd symphony at first. I had two recordings - Karajan/Philharmonia and Bernstein/Vienna. Despite being VERY different performances, neither one really gave me the insight I needed to appreciate the piece. The recording that made me go "aha, so THAT's how it goes!" was Blomstedt/SFS, and I've loved this piece ever since. (It's still my favorite recording of this, I love every moment of it - I think their symphonies 1-3 are brilliant, though for 4-7 I might turn to other recordings, such as Karajan.)

Sibelius is masterful - my favorite composer. He does take more patience, and knowledge of musical structure helps - but it creeps up and grows on you. His compositions are not obvious, always like shifting sands, flowing and building and subsiding exquisitely. His music stands on passages more than movements imho. This one is awesome, but his 3rd and 5th symphonies are my top favorites - the 3rd is perhaps the most approachable.

SIBELIUS IS ONE OF MY 10 FAVORITE COMPOSERS...

The depth of this music is not to be underestimated.

Hi gidi please react to Mahler's 5th symphony, i think is is time for you to react to some of the most epic, passionate symphonies you will propably hear ever

My high school played the 4th movement for our UIL concert along side Verdi La Forza Del Destino. I was principal clarinet, and it was first time getting to play in a full orchestra. It was one of the coolest experiences ever. The finale has a special place in my heart, so many good memories from rehearsals and the performance itself. By the way, I wanna recommend a piece. It would be the coolest thing if you could react to Shostakovich 4th Symphony. It’s my favorite and my favorite recording is Valery Gergiev’s. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--Us8ElJ3yUY.html

I started drifting during the softer parts and when it picked back up, startled me, but still enjoyed it 🙂

Sibelius is the cats bollocks... his work is brilliant. More Sibelius mate and like Mark says below, put his incredible ending to the 5th on... it's a shocker.

You absolutely have to react to symphony 7. Its Sibelius' best work in my opinion and its not an uncommon opinion. Its very compact and the sheer amount of music is fantastic. It also has one of my favorite endings to any symphony.